there was a weekend that all the girls on our squad went to Mae’s house (she’s our field mentor here in guate, i love her a lot, she’s kinda awesome) for a women’s retreat. she shared a story about standing firm. we’re called to put on our armor, go out to battle, but not fight. all we have to do is watch God work, he literally does it all for us.
all the while Mae is giving this teaching, God is poking me saying, “maddie, this is about your fundraising. i want you to just be still and watch me work. i’ve got it all under control. trust me and see what i can do!”
at this point i still had about $6,000ish left to be fully funded. and God told me to stop working on fundraising — no more social media posts, lil fundraising updates at the end of blogs, reaching out to people asking for support, nothing! and MAN was that difficult. i watched my other squadmates work more on fundraising and get rewarded for it through more donations, and i was frustrated because i wasn’t seeing any progress in mine.
i knew that i’m right where i’m supposed to be on the world race. i knew that he would provide — he brought me this far, he wasn’t about to let me down then. i had to completely give up control and humble myself before him to allow him to work however he wants in my life.
i had to learn to trust God not just because “oh, well God is good!” but LEGITIMATELY trust him by surrendering all my control to let him do the work.
**God’s been bringing that up to me a lot — me trying to hold all the pieces together myself and make everything work isn’t helping. letting go of control is so so good bc it allows God to step in and do what he needs to do in his perfect plan and perfect timing.**
God brought up a few different lyrics from a few different songs, too. if you couldn’t tell, God speaks to me through music a lot haha.
he never told me
that it would be easy
he said suffering would come
but he promised peace, peace, peace
(peace by afio mai)
all i did was praise
all i did was worship
all i did was bow down
all i did was stay still
hallelujah you have saved me
it’s so much better your way
(defender by bethel music)
do whatever you want to do
say whatever you want to say
move whatever you want to move
change whatever you want to change
(open space by house fires)
i count on one thing
the same God that never fails
will not fail me now
you won’t fail me now
in the waiting
the same God who’s never late
is working all things out
you’re working all things out
(yes i will by vertical worship)
waiting for change to come
knowing the battle’s won
for you have never failed me yet
your promise still stands
great is your faithfulness, faithfulness
i’m still in your hands
this is my confidence, you’ve never failed me yet
i know the night won’t last
you word will come to pass
my heart will sing your praise again
Jesus, you’re still enough
keep me within your love
my heart will sing your praise again
. . .
i’ve seen you move, you move the mountains
and i believe i’ll see you do it again
you made a way when there was no way
and i believe i’ll see you do it again
(do it again by elevation worship)
i raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
i raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
i raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
i raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
i’m gonna sing in the middle of the storm
louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
up from the ashes hope will arise
death is defeated, the King is alive
(raise a hallelujah by bethel music)
God also brought me to Lamentations 3:25-26. he prompted me to write it on my hand and memorize it. to live by it. to believe it.
“the Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
as i walked through this season of stillness with Abba, he kept reminding me of the song lyric from the song nothing else by cody carnes, “i just wanna sit here at your feet.” he gave me a picture of a little kid sitting on the floor in front of an older gentleman in a chair. the kid was so excited and ready to see what he would do, but the man just wanted to sit with the child. just be. just be in each other’s presences. they didn’t have to talk, their relationship is strong.
that’s all God wanted from me. just to sit with me. he wanted to perform literal MIRACLES for me and have me watch in awe and wonder.
and yes, Abba DID provide and your girl is now FULLY FUNDED !!!!! he really does provide in the most best randomest ways that bring him all the glory. it’s truly amazing.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! God called you to partner with me and you listened and obeyed — so thank you!! i literally wouldn’t be here without all of you. i love y’all bunches and appreciate every prayer and penny towards supporting my world race!
much love, maddie chase
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praise of the week:
we had debrief last week and it was AMAZING !!! we got to see our squad coaches, cathy and brian, our squad mentor, the one and only kate goeler, and all relax at the beautiful lake atitlan! there were some great teachings, market trips, cliff jumping and zip lining adventures, tacos, and everything in between!
song of the week:
captured by isla vista worship
prayer request of the week:
we’re back in full swing with ministry and it’s super easy to feel exhausted. so if y’all could pray for strength for my team and i as we continue our work in guatemala, we would really appreciate it!
spanish of the week:
“que estas cocinando hoy?” means “what are you cooking today?” our cooks at the base, sandra and teresa, make the BEST empanadas and beef stew. those two meals are both the crowd favorites here haha.
lol of the week:
jacob is back! he was one of our team leaders in romania and now he’s interning at the adventures base in guatemala! he’ll hang out with the base with us and sometimes go to ministry with us and it’s a ton of fun to be able to see him again!
